AntoineScaby at 20:36, 1 May 2026

2026-05-01T20:36:25Z

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{{Short description|Aerial cable car in Uttar Pradesh, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox aerial lift line

| line_color = 
| name = Kashi ropeway
| image =
| image_size =
| alt = 
| caption =
| image_map =
| image_map_size =
| image_map_alt =
| image_map_caption =
| pushpin_map = India Uttar Pradesh
| pushpin_relief = 
| pushpin_map_size = 
| pushpin_label =
| pushpin_map_alt = 
| pushpin_map_caption = 

| alt_name =
| status =Under Construction
| character = [[Urban transit]]
| system = 
| line_no = 
| location = [[Varanasi]]
| country = India
| coordinates = 
| start = Varanasi Cantonment
| end = Godowlia Chowk
| elev_low =
| elev_high =
| cont_from = 
| cont_as = 
| connect_lines = 
| no_stations = 5
| services = [[Varanasi]], [[Uttar Pradesh]]
| built_by = Vishwa Samudra Engineering Pvt Ltd
| constr_cost = {{INRConvert|645|c}}
| begin = March 2022
| open = 
| last_ext = 
| close = 
| reopen = 
| website =

| owner =
| operator =
| no_carriers = 153
| carrier_cap = 10 passengers
| ridership = 96000/day (expected)
| operating_times = 
| trips_daily =
| headway = 
| trip_duration = 16 minutes
| fare =
| operating_time = 16 hrs/day

| lift_type = 
| manufactured_by = Bartholet Maschinenbau AG
| line_length = {{convert|3.75|km|mi}}
| no_towers = 30
| no_cables =
| cable_diameter =
| inst_power = 
| speed = 
| notes = 
| vertical =
| max_gradient =
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-wikidata = yes
| mapframe-marker = aerialway
| map_state =
| map_name = Kashi ropeway
}}

'''Kashi ropeway''' is an under construction [[Aerial tramway|aerial cable car]] [[Gondola lift#Urban transport|urban transit system]] in [[Varanasi]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], India. It will be the first public transport ropeway of India. It will be 3.75km long with five stations connecting [[Varanasi Junction railway station|Varanasi Cantonment railway station]] to Godowlia Chowk. It is expected to open in August 2025.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kashi ropeway project on track; likely to start in Aug |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/kashi-ropeway-project-on-track-likely-to-start-in-aug/articleshow/118768015.cms |website=The Times of India |date=6 March 2025}}</ref>

==History==

When the development plan of metro was rejected in June 2018, the Varanasi Development Authority (VDA) asked [[Rail India Technical and Economic Service]] (RITES) to prepare [[Rapid transit|mass rapid transit system]] (MRTS) plan for the city in December 2019.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |date=2022-10-10 |title=Varanasi: Execution of Kashi ropeway project likely after October 14 |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/execution-of-kashi-ropeway-project-likely-after-october-14/articleshow/94750541.cms |access-date=2023-03-29 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> RITES included ropeway and [[Medium-capacity rail system|light metro]] in MRTS plan.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shah |first=Narendra |date=2019-12-30 |title=RITES to Submit light metro and ropeway project DPR for Varanasi |url=https://www.metrorailnews.in/rites-to-submit-light-metro-and-ropeway-project-dpr-for-varanasi/ |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Metro Rail News |language=en-US}}</ref> It is being constructed under Parvatmala Pariyojana.<ref name=":1" />

The project was presented by [[WAPCOS Limited]] in November 2021 and the first tender was floated in December 2021 but was repeatedly delayed later.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |date=2022-08-01 |title=Two bidders in race for Kashi ropeway project |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/two-bidders-in-race-for-kashi-ropeway-project/articleshow/93260260.cms |access-date=2023-03-29 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> The two Austrian engineering firms Salzmann and Bernard Group planned the project.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eleven urban ropeways for India |url=https://www.simagazin.com/en/si-urban-en/topics-urban/urban/eleven-urban-ropeways-for-india/ |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Seilbahnen International |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Salzmann Ingenieure And Bernard Gruppe Planning Eleven Ropeways In India |url=https://www.snowindustrynews.com/articles/2022/november/salzmann-ingenieure-and-bernard-gruppe-planning-eleven-ropeways-in-india/ |access-date=2023-03-30 |website=www.snowindustrynews.com |language=en-US}}</ref> In December 2021, VDA authorised National Highways Logistics Management Ltd (NHLML), a subsidiary of [[National Highways Authority of India|National Highway Authority of India]] (NHAI) to execute the project which also conducted feasibility study. VDA and NHLML signed memorandum of understating with [[Government of Uttar Pradesh]] and [[Indian Railways]].<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /> The Government of Uttar Pradesh acquired the land for stations and towers.<ref name=":3" /> Sai Geotechnical Engineer Pvt Ltd conducted the geotechnical investigation.<ref name=":3" />

In April–June 2022, the tender was floated by the NHLML.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5"/><ref name=":3" /> In December 2022, the NHLML awarded the contract worth {{INRconvert|807|c}} to Vishwa Samudra Engineering Private Limited and Bartholet Maschinenbau AG of Switzerland. The bid price was {{INRconvert|815.6|c}}. It will be constructed using hybrid annuity model, in which 60% and 40% of the cost will be paid during the construction period and operation-maintenance period respectively. The company will maintain the ropeway for 15 years.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |author=Staff Reporter |date=2022-12-28 |title=VS Engg bags contract to build India's first urban ropeway project in Varanasi |url=https://www.metrorailnews.in/vs-engg-bags-contract-to-built-indias-first-urban-ropeway-project-in-varanasi/ |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Metro Rail News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Varanasi ropeway project gets Rs 322 cr funding from Swiss firm - The Economic Times |url=https://m.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/infrastructure/varanasi-ropeway-project-gets-rs-322-cr-funding-from-swiss-firm/amp_articleshowarticleshow/114598142.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=m.economictimes.com}}</ref>

On 24 March 2022, Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] laid the foundation of the ropeway. The construction will cost {{INRconvert|645|c}}. It will facilitate movement of local people, tourists and pilgrims to Godowlia, Kashi Corridor, [[Kashi Vishwanath Temple]] and [[Dashashwamedh Ghat]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-03-23 |title=PM to lay foundation for India's 1st public transport ropeway in Kashi tomorrow |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/lucknow-news/pm-to-lay-foundation-for-india-s-1st-public-transport-ropeway-in-kashi-tomorrow-101679577986512.html |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2023-03-24 |title=Varanasi news today: PM Modi lays foundation of India's first public transport ropeway worth Rs 645 crores in Kashi - Check Varanasi ropeway project map, tender and other details |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/business-economy/economy/varanasi-news-today-pm-modi-lays-foundation-of-indias-first-public-transport-ropeway-worth-rs-645-crores-in-kashi-check-varanasi-ropeway-project-map-tender-and-other-details-article-98961726 |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=TimesNow |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> The construction and operation are expected to start in May 2023 and in May 2025 respectively.<ref name=":3" />

It will be the first public transport ropeway of India.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2023-03-24 |title=PM Modi Lays Foundation Stone for Kashi Ropeway: India 3rd in World to Get it {{!}} All You Need to Know |url=https://www.news18.com/india/pm-modi-lays-foundation-stone-for-kashi-ropeway-india-3rd-in-world-to-get-it-all-you-need-to-know-7376377.html |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref>.

== Technical features ==
The line will be {{convert|3.75|km|mi|abbr=on}} long. It will operate from [[Varanasi Cantonment Railway Station|Varanasi Cantonment railway station]] to Godowlia Chowk. It will have three other stations: [[Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith|Kashi Vidyapith]] ([[Bharat Mata Mandir]]), Rath Yatra and Girja Ghar.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ropeway Project: रोपवे बनने से खत्म हो जाएंगे काशी विद्यापीठ के चार विभाग, भारत माता मंदिर के अस्तित्व पर भी संकट |url=https://www.amarujala.com/uttar-pradesh/varanasi/ropeway-project-in-varanasi-four-departments-of-kashi-vidyapith-will-end-due-to-construction-of-ropeway-bharat-mata-temple-too |access-date=2023-03-30 |website=Amar Ujala |language=hi}}</ref> There will be no passenger exchange at Girja Ghar.<ref name=":3" /> Total 30 towers with height ranging from 10 to 55 metre will be constructed.<ref name=":3" />

It is expected to transport 96,000 passengers per day.<ref name=":3" /> It will have a maximum capacity of 3000 [[passengers per hour per direction]]. It will have 153 cars with capacity of 10 passengers each. It will operate 16 hours a day and will complete the trip in 16 minutes.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" />
{| class="wikitable"
! width="100" |Line
! width="360" |Terminus stations
!Other stations
! width="110" |Length
!Travel time
!Stations
!Cabins
!Capacity
!Towers
! width="150" |Expected date of opening
|-
| Line-1
|[[Varanasi cantonment]] - Godowlia Chowk
|
* Kashi Vidyapith (Bharatmala Mandir)
* Rath Yatra
* Girja Ghar
|{{convert|3.75|km|mi|abbr=on}}
|16 min
|5
|153
|3000 [[Passengers per hour per direction|pphpd]]
|30
|May 2025
|}

==Status Updates==

* '''December 2025:''' Total of 5 stations and 29 towers have been constructed for the ropeway, with extensive trials underway. Expected to be operational by '''''May 2026.'''''

==See also==
* [[Varanasi Metro]]
* [[Aerial lift in India]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Uttar Pradesh}}

[[Category:Transport in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Aerial tramways in India]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Varanasi]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Varanasi]]
[[Category:Proposed infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh]]

Kashi ropeway - Revision history

AntoineScaby at 20:36, 1 May 2026